Elastomeric seal sizer

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for changing the shape of seals is provided. The apparatus includes an elastomer member that applies force onto the seal to change the size of the seal. An embodiment of the invention includes returning the seal to its original diameter by deforming the elastomer that is positioned about at least a portion of the seal.

1. An apparatus for seal sizing comprising:
 a housing having rigid sidewalls; 
 an elastomer member positioned within the interior of the housing; 
 a fixture positioned within the housing; 
 a polymeric seal positioned about said fixture; 
 a compressor movable within the housing from an engaging position to a non-engaging position while the fixture remains stationary during the movement of the compressor, the compressor applying a force to deform the elastomer member so that a gap between the elastomer member and fixture is filled by the elastomer member to cause engagement between the elastomer and the seal. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the seal has an original diameter and further wherein the elastomer deforms to return the seal to the original diameter. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a piston attached to the compressor, the piston movable from an extended position to a refracted position, wherein the compressor engages the elastomer member when the piston is at the extended position and further wherein the elastomer is not deformed when the piston is at the refracted position. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a linear actuator connected to the piston, the linear actuator moving the piston from the extended position to the retracted position. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fixture has a size and shape substantially similar to an original size and shape of the seal. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the seal deforms to a size and a shape substantially similar to a size and a shape of the fixture. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fixture is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the fixture has a first portion and a second portion and further wherein the diameter at the first portion is greater than the diameter at the second portion. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a first seal having an original diameter substantially similar to the first portion of the fixture; 
 a second seal having an original diameter substantially similar to the second portion of the fixture; 
 wherein the first seal engages the first portion of the fixture and the second seal engages the second portion of the fixture. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the elastomer simultaneously deforms to return the first seal to and the second seal to the original diameters of the first seal and the second seal, respectively.